Hall Mountain

Climb, climb, climb through several stages of eastern forest to open wildflower filled alpine meadows and inspired views on this abandoned lookout peak.

Start on the Noisy Creek Trail, just off the main road to Sullivan Lake and adjacent to the Noisy Creek Campground, and begin the long, steady ascent up the mountain. The trail works its way through aspen and paper birch forests, providing an occasional view of Sullivan Lake below, before it enters a more densely forested section along Noisy Creek. The trail crosses Noisy Creek at approximately 2 miles; this is a rock hop late in the season, but can be a difficult crossing during spring runoff.

After the crossing, the route becomes steeper. Near 3.5 miles, the trail leaves Noisy Creek, so be sure to top off your water bottles—there’s no water source from this point on. The dry section of trail transitions into pine forest until the junction with the Hall Mountain Trail at the 5-mile mark. The Hall Mountain Trail continues to—you guessed it—climb steadily, gradually giving way to meadows of lush grass and wildflowers. Watch for lupine, Indian paintbrush, aster, flax, fireweed and sagebrush.

Just before the summit, Sullivan Lake comes into view once more, this time far, far below. From the top, you can imagine what the view from the lookout tower must have been like. Originally installed in 1930, the 10-foot tower was destroyed in the 1950s. Only the concrete base remains. Looking west, pick out the profiles of Abercrombie and Hooknose Mountains; to the north, Sullivan Mountain Lookout is visible, as well as Crowell Ridge; and to the east, the entire Shedroof Divide is in the foreground, with Idaho’s Selkirks off in the distance.